The Prime Minister had recommended Mr Blair Comley PSM to the Governor-General, to be appointed as the new Secretary for the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Mr Cromley will take the reins following the retirement of outgoing boss Professor Brendan Murphy on 6 July 2023, who had served in the role since 2020 after joining the Department as Chief Medical Officer in 2016.
The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Mark Butler, said that Australians got to know Professor Murphy throughout the pandemic, “as he led the Department of Health during its biggest public health response in over 100 years.”
“Professor Murphy’s time as Secretary was broader than just COVID, he has overseen the start of aged care, mental health, primary care and health workforce reform,” Minister Butler said.
“With Professor Murphy’s leadership the department has responded to a renewed focus on Commonwealth-State health relations, including advising National Cabinet.
“I want to thank Professor Murphy for his professionalism and his help in establishing the Health and Aged Care Ministerial Office for the Albanese Government and I wish him well in his retirement.”
Mr Butler said that Mr Cromley had a wealth of experience, including playing key roles in the design of Australia’s competition policy framework, the GST, the rationale and design of the Future Fund and the design and implementation of emissions trading in Australia.
“His outstanding record of public service includes being the Secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency between 2011 and 2013,” he said.
Mr Cromley also led the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet as Secretary between 2014 and 2017, and after leaving public service, he worked as the Net Zero Centre Leader, and Partner, at EY Australia.
The National Rural Health Alliance was the first group to welcome the news and Alliance CEO, Ms Susi Tegen, praised the outcome of the merit-based recruitment campaign.
“We are pleased to see that a person of Mr Comley’s calibre, with his strong economic qualifications and experience, will lead the health and aged care sector,” Ms Tegen said.
“We look forward to engaging with the Department of Health and Aged Care under Mr Comley’s leadership, to improve health outcomes for the more than 7 million people living in rural and remote Australia.
“The Alliance hopes to collaborate with Mr Comley with the same vigour as we did with Professor Murphy and his staff, to ensure better healthcare access for rural Australians.”
Professor Murphy announced his decision to retire on 13 April 2023.